Is Montana or South Dakota a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, South Dakota ranks higher overall. Montana is #12 and South Dakota is #2 out of 50 states. Montana wins 5 of 11 categories, while South Dakota wins 6.

How does Montana compare to South Dakota in cost of living?

Montana has a cost of living index of 90, while South Dakota's is 88 (100 = national average). South Dakota is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Montana or South Dakota?

Montana has 377 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 330 in South Dakota. South Dakota has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Montana vs South Dakota?

Montana's median household income is $72,340, compared to $72,280 in South Dakota.

Montana vs South Dakota: Side-by-Side (2026)

B+

Montana

#12·West

71.1Composite Score

VSSouth Dakota leads

A+

South Dakota

#2·Midwest

81.8Composite Score

5MT wins

6SD wins

Category Overlay

MontanaSouth Dakota

Category Scores

💰 EconomySD +24.2

46.1

70.3

🛡️ SafetySD +16.0

50.9

66.9

🏥 HealthMT +8.1

61.2

53.1

🎓 EducationSD +28.6

61.2

89.8

💼 Fiscal HealthSD +16.8

59.5

76.3

📈 GrowthSD +0.7

62.7

63.4

🏠 AffordabilitySD +12.7

71.8

84.5

🌿 EnvironmentMT +9.6

62.9

53.3

🏞️ Outdoor AccessMT +25.9

71.7

45.8

🚇 TransportationMT +3.8

60.5

56.7

🎭 LivabilityMT +15.8

70.1

54.3

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Montana	South Dakota	Winner
Population	1,132,812	919,318	MT
Median Income	$72,340	$72,280	MT
Unemployment	3.7%	2%	SD
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	377	330	SD
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	90	88	SD
HS Graduation Rate	87%	85%	MT
Life Expectancy	77.8 yr	78.5 yr	SD
Pop Growth	+1.4%	+1%	MT

Montana vs South Dakota: How Do They Compare?

Montana ranks #12 overall with a composite score of 71.1, earning a B+ grade. South Dakota sits at #2 with 81.8 and a A+ grade. South Dakota has the edge overall, winning 6 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Montana has 3.7% unemployment and a $72,340 median income, while South Dakota reports 2% unemployment and $72,280 median income.

For safety, Montana's violent crime rate is 377 per 100K compared to 330 in South Dakota. Cost of living favors South Dakota with an index of 88 vs 90.

Explore These States

Montana Full Profile71.1 South Dakota Full Profile81.8 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2023 📎America's Health Rankings, 2025 📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025 📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024 📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025 📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025 📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025 📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025 📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024 📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025 📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024 📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025 📎National Park Service API, 2024 📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024 📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023 📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024 📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023 📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023 📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24 📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22 📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23 📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023 📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023 📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022 📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023 📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022 📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025 📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration 2022-2023